Jason and the Scorchers: Thunder and Fire

A&M CD 5264

Michael Piercy; Reel To Real Magazine, Raleigh, North Carolina
September 1989

Copyright 1989-2004 Reel To Real Magazine

Jason Ringenberg and his band blew through the Southeast in support of a
new release. Thunder And Fire, and worthy of support it is, indeed. Long time fans of the Scorchers’ brand of rock will find nothing lacking here. In fact, their sound has been beefed up a bit with the addition of Tar Heel Andy York on second guitar, cranking it up with the woefully underappreciated Warner E. Hodges. Thunder And Fire finds our boys on a new label with a refreshed outlook and a new-found enthusiasm. This is one disc that certainly lives up to its name.
Things get off to a blistering start with “When The Angels Cry,” followed by two of the strongest tracks here, “Now That You’re Mine” and “You Gotta Way With Me,” both full-blown scorchers in the finest Scorchers tradition. Other highlights include the twangy “Close Up The Road” which calls to mind the Stones’ “Faraway Eyes,” and a rave-up over of Phil Ochs’ “My Kingdom For A Car,” Producer Barry Beckett, of Muscle Shoals fame, has done a great job of transferring the band’s fury to tape.
The CD even carries a reduced price, thanks to the Scorchers being part of what A&M calls its “developing artist” series. But if you already know this band, you’ll know better than that, and if not, once you’ve heard Thunder And Fire, you’ll know you’re hearing a band in full bloom.

© 1989-2004 — Reel To Real Magazine— All Rights Reserved